Colorado wine country is real, and it's centered in Palisade on the Western Slope. This high-desert region near Grand Junction produces award-winning wines from grapes grown at elevation. Fall harvest season brings crush festivals, grape stomping, and the best time to visit.
Harvest typically runs mid-August through October, depending on the variety. The Colorado Mountain Winefest in September is the signature event - two days of tastings, grape stomping, food, and live music. Individual wineries host their own crush events throughout the season.
The Palisade area has over 20 wineries within a few miles, making it easy to taste your way through the region. The combination of warm days, cool nights, and intense sunshine creates conditions that produce surprisingly excellent wines - a secret that's slowly getting out.